A telecommunications veteran with a background in Ottawa tech will lead the locally-based Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks, the organization announced this week.
Jean-Charles Fahmy, or JC, officially took the helm at Kanata-based CENGN on June 4, according to a statement.
The University of Ottawa alum joins the local organization, which acts as a shared R&D centre for Ottawa-based telecoms, startups and multinationals, after 25 years in networking that saw him take stints at Nortel Networks and BTI Systems in Ottawa. Most recently, Fahmy served as vice-president of business development at networking services firm Coriant.
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“I am incredibly excited to be joining the CENGN team,” Fahmy said in a statement. “CENGN has a tremendous opportunity to make a significant positive impact on the Canadian ICT sector, and help technology SMEs and startups commercialize their innovation and grow.”
CENGN receives funding through the federal and provincial governments. The national organization aims to bridge the gaps between innovation and commercialization in Canada’s telecom industry with members including Mitel, Huawei, Bell Canada and Rogers.
His website bio names Fahmy as CENGN’s “chief ambassador,” which involves setting a strategic direction for the organization’s ecosystem of companies and stakeholders, as well as overseeing day-to-day operations for the centre’s 30-person staff.
CENGN’s chief executive role has been filled by Robert Fitts on a interim basis since incumbent CEO Ritch Dusome was left the position last fall. A spokesperson for the organization declined to provide a reason for Dusome’s departure at that time.
